No proof of India aiding Pak rebels: US think tank

There is no evidence to substantiate Pakistan's claims that India is supporting Baloch rebels, a US think tank has observed, cautioning that New Delhi might consider this option if Islamabad fails to act against LeT, responsible for the Mumbai terror attack.

There is no evidence to substantiate Pakistan's claims that India is supporting Baloch rebels, a US think tank has observed, cautioning that New Delhi might consider this option if Islamabad fails to act against LeT, responsible for the Mumbai terror attack.

Over the past five years, Pakistan has accused India of aiding Baloch insurgent groups through its consulates in Afghanistan, but has not provided any evidence, Center for International Policy, a Washington-based think tank observed in its report.

The report, "Pakistan: The State of the Union," concluded that Pakistan's charges have lacked credibility as Baloch rebels have fought with ineffectual small arms.

"They say this weaponry has been purchased on the black-market, with funding from Baloch compatriots in Dubai and other Persian Gulf states.

"Should India in fact, decide to give the Baloch large-scale sophisticated weaponry, logistic help and funds, they could rapidly expand their present force of 4,500 fighters drawing on the large number of Baloch educated unemployed," Selig S Harrison, director, Asia Program of the think tank said in the report.

India might seriously consider the option of supporting the separatist Baloch and Sindh movements of Pakistan, if Islamabad does not take decisive action against LeT.